Materials for a construction project are crucial. Without them, the project will not get done. How can you protect these supplies and avoid substantial financial losses?

There are multiple options for contractors, but the right solution will depend on the project and your role. Most often contractors will turn to builder’s risk policies and installation floaters.

Even in a seemingly safe environment such as an office, accidents can – and do – occur. When you think of accidents, your mind might jump to major incidents and emergencies. But don’t overlook the smaller injuries. Cuts, scrapes, and burns can also impact your workforce and their productivity. Having CPR and first aid trained employees can make a substantial difference in your ability to maintain a safe work environment.

As hard as you may try, you are not going to please everyone. There are going to be times on social media where your organization receives negative feedback. Some businesses let the fear of negative reviews prevent them from diving into the world of social media. Yes, social media does present its own risks, but it could also be argued that skipping on social media creates even greater risks.

The dark clouds roll in. The warning siren sounds. Severe weather is coming…are you and your employees ready?

The storm may pass your site, causing little to no damage. But if you are caught in the heart of the tornado, the result could be catastrophic. You’ve seen the images. Entire towns wiped out in the path of a tornado. You can’t predict the outcome of a storm, but you can plan ahead to make sure your organization is disaster ready.

The construction industry has done a good job of focusing on safety and quality. This mindset has been driven down to the smallest of contractors. They know safety and quality not only impact what work they can secure and for which owners and contractors they can work, but it also drives the cost of their insurance program. Prequalifying contractors based on their safety experience and program is the norm.

The prequalification process, however, should not be limited to safety. Financial prequalification should receive adequate attention as well.

Think only health care workers and first responders are in danger of bloodborne pathogen exposure? Custodians, laundry workers, employees performing first aid, those who service medical equipment, law enforcement personnel, among others, can even be exposed to blood and other potentially infectious materials on the job.

Today we’re sharing insight from guest blogger Ron Turpin, Gibson’s Chief Financial Officer and Fort Wayne Market President. We hope you enjoy Ron’s perspective and wisdom.

My family and I recently traveled to Florida for a family vacation. One of our stops was to a nationally known entertainment venue. During our day there I noticed several things that made me question their focus on customer service. Dirty tables in dining venues, staff who did not greet guests as they arrived, lack of line maintenance management, and numerous other little small things. As I added all of these together it made me ask the question, “do they really want and value me as a client?”

In the construction industry, it seems you are either asking someone to sign a contract or being asked to sign a contract daily. With so many contracts, and the complexity involved, it can often be difficult to accurately assess your risk exposures. Yet oversights and mistakes in this process can be extremely costly.

Employee engagement matters. The connection to the bottom line is clear. Yet studies by Gallup continue to report employee engagement levels at less than one-third.

How do you create a positive workplace culture where employees feel valued and engaged? It varies for every company. To shine light on the topic, we consulted a few of our fellow Best Places To Work in Indiana honorees for their advice - what makes your organization a great place to work? What is your lesson to share with other companies?

Reputation risk consistently finds itself among the top concerns for businesses. Especially with the rise of social media, companies are concerned with how quickly and significantly their reputations can be threatened.

What can you do to protect your company’s brand? Make the most of your social media usage by avoiding these 8 mistakes: